Man for court over boy's stabbing

A 21-year-old man is expected to appear before a sitting of Drogheda District Court tomorrow morning charged in connection with the stabbing of a 16-year-old schoolboy in Drogheda yesterday afternoon.

The teenager, who is in a serious condition in hospital, was walking through Drogheda with four friends from a secondary school in the town when they were confronted by a man who appeared to be drunk. He produced a knife and moved towards the group.

The injured boy is believed to have suffered wounds to the torso and to have sustained internal injuries. The incident happened close to Whitworth Hall on Laurence Street in Drogheda at about 4.15pm.

Gardaí were quickly on the scene after a member of the public noticed the disturbance and telephoned Drogheda Garda station.

Last night Supt Gerry Smith confirmed the teenager had been stabbed and that a man in his 20s had been arrested. He said a weapon was also recovered.

Supt Smith said the teenager had been taken to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital and, while his condition was not life-threatening, it was “serious”.

“This was a horrific crime and there is no place in society for this type of behaviour. We have established an investigation team and a full investigation is under way.